FC Cincinnati made their second summer signing Saturday when they announced the addition of left back Andrew Gutman on loan from Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.
Gutman is a 22 year old who played most recently on loan at the Charlotte Independence in the USL Championship, where he made 14 league appearances, scored three goals and provided an assist. Since the start of the European preseason, he’s been in Glasgow with Celtic.
Here’s why Orange and Blue fans should be ecstatic:
Adding a left back fills an instant need.
Ignoring background on Gutman for a second, it’s worth noting FCC’s situation at left back.
Since Greg Garza was injured minutes into the 5-1 loss to Orlando City SC on May 19, FC Cincinnati literally played every match since without a natural left back.
Gutman’s addition fills that vacancy.
Before his calf injury, Garza was one of Cincinnati’s most exciting players. Once he returns to the field, he should offer that same quality and excitement.
However, because there’s no cemented timetable for his return, adding Gutman so Mathieu Deplagne can play his natural right back puts Cincinnati a step closer to a back four playing in natural positions. After this move, that seems to be Deplagne, Maikel van der Werff, Kendall Waston and Gutman/Garza.
Gutman was the best college soccer player in 2018.
The 22-year-old helped Indiana University win the College Cup this past December. Along the way, he was named the 2018 MAC Hermann Trophy winner, making him the best player in the country.
His play hasn’t gone unrecognized.
When U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Gregg Berhalter selected his 40-man provisional roster for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup, Gutman was listed and became the first active USL player named to the provisional team. (Garza was also included on the roster.)
That clearly speaks to his ability. At IU, he scored 20 goals from 90 college matches. Playing as a left back, that indicates he can get forward well and join on attacks, which has been a characteristic of FC Cincinnati fullbacks since the club’s first season in 2016.
While this is a great signing for FCC, it’s a great signing for Gutman, too.
Hopefully signing with the Orange and Blue provides stability for Gutman, who’s hardly had any since his collegiate career ended.
Playing in the Chicago Fire Academy growing up, he declined to sign an MLS Homegrown contract with the Fire, who held his MLS rights.
FCC pursued Gutman in January, but couldn’t come to terms with Chicago for his rights.
As a result, he looked to play abroad and signed with Celtic FC on January 31.
He never played for the Scottish powerhouse, though.
Instead, the was sent to Nashville SC on loan – but MLS voided the deal to the future 2020 expansion side. As a result, the left back joined Charlotte to start the 2019 season.
Chicago and Nashville both wanting Gutman shows he’s an MLS-caliber player. Now, he gets to prove with that with FC Cincinnati.
FCC already have one left back with USMNT quality. They just signed another who could play into the U.S. National Team’s long-term plans.
Considering Cincinnati General Manager Gerard Nijkamp specified the position as an area of growth, it’s hard to see this signing and not get excited.
Oh, and because FCC have been tracking him since the offseason, finally being able to complete the deal will make the front office just as thrilled, too.
